Tooth Fairy Analytical Method

["Nielsen, Erik" <NielseEC@nv.doe.gov>]

I have reviewed the analytical method posted at

http://unplugsalem.org/radioactive_strontium.htm  and I have concerns over

the specificity of the method in reguards to radium.    



A simple carbonate precipitation would bring over any naturally occuring

Ra-228 and Ra-226 that would surely be present. It is well known that NJ and

other areas of the country have high levels of radium in their drinking

water.  If radium is not separated during the analysis, the decay correction

would skew the results even further.  The "old" teeth would have had the

Ra-228 decayed away while newer teeth could still have significant

quantities that would then be misidentified as "new" strontium.  The

Philippino children comparison is just a "red herring" because of the

geographical distribution of radium in soil and water. Without an analytical

method specific enough to eliminate the other alkaline earths the results

are suspect.  I would recommend the Eichrom Sr Resin for it's high

specificity.



The method of calculating the uncertainties and detection limits are not

provided in this document but appear to overstate the confidence in the

measurements and the detection limit.



Any comments?  Is anyone familiar with Hari D. Sharma or REMS Inc in

Waterloo, Ontario Canada?



Erik C. Nielsen

Senior Scientist

Bechtel Nevada - Remote Sensing Laboratory

P.O. Box 98521, M/S RSL-24

Las Vegas, NV 89193



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